Bihar has emerged as of one of the major underdogs of the ongoing Junior National Championship for Girls U-18, 2015 and has booked their place in the Semi-Finals with a second straight victory in the quarterfinals league with a resounding 4-2 victory over Maharashtra. In the second match in a row, Bihar although having dominated most of the play left it for late to get past their opponents. Both teams started off well and were trying their best to break their opposition’s defense line. The first 30 minutes of the match saw a lot of midfield action and the ball kept changing sides with both teams trying to establish their dominance over the game. Bihar broke the deadlock in a quick fire session with 2 goals in the space of 4 minutes of play. Both goals were scored by India International Tara Khatoon in the 32 min and 35 min of play. The individual brilliance of Tara gave Bihar a respectable lead of 2-0 going into the half-time break. Coming out of the half-time break the Maharashtra frontline of Mamta Acharya, Bhagyashree Dalvi and Jyoti Mehra started putting a lot of pressure on the opposition’s defense. Within 5 minutes of resume of play Maharashtra got a breakthrough and Akanksha Kandalkar, another India International scored a goal in the 50 min to pull one goal back for Maharashtra. The goal for Maharashtra boosted the confidence of the entire Maharashtra team and the game became a very interesting affair to watch with Maharashtra pressing hard to find an equalizer. Bihar’s otherwise strong defense started to slowly crack-up under pressure and the presence of Maharashtra supporters among the audience propelled Maharashtra to move forward. Akanksha Kandalkar, who was having a brilliant game so far scored the equalizer in the 68 min with a score-line of 2-2 with 20 mins left in regulation time. Bihar showed their class with profound composure and ability to regroup well with two late strikes at goal, just like they did in their first quarter final league match against Jharkhand. Archana Kumari, India International player scored in the 79 min to give Bihar a slim 3-2 lead. Maharashtra tried hard in search of the equalizer but a good counter attack move and the neat finishing of Archana Kumari gave Bihar a goal in the 85 min and the final score victory of 4-2 over Maharashtra.
Bihar next takes on a formidable Manipur team on 16th October, 2015 at 7:30am at Raia Panchayat Ground, Raia to decide the Group I winner.

Manipur stamp their authority as one of the strong contenders and score a dominating 6-0 victory over Jharkhand to progress into the Semi-Finals of the Junior National Championship for Girls U-18, 2015. Manipur although missing their star forward N. Ratanbala Devi due to injury still managed to put 6 goals across a good Jharkhand team boasting the likes of Binita Kerketta and Rekha Oraon. For Manipur, other players stepped up in the absence of N. Ratanbala, especially their right forward W. Ranjibala Devi who made some really good runs down the right flank and put across some dangerous passes into the opposition’s D-Area. Kashmina displayed superb ball control upfront and beat the Jharkhand defenders with quick dribbles. Kashmina scored a fine hat-trick for Manipur by finding the back of the net in the 13th min, 35th min and 78th min. H. Daya Devi, Kashmina and W. Ranjibala Devi combined well upfront and were a constant threat to the Jharkhand defense and Midfielders who started dropping back and playing defensive half’s positions to thwart off fierce Manipur offence. H. Daya Devi scored a brace for Manipur with goals in the 14th min and 30th min of play. K. Pinky Chanu stood tall in defense and organized the back line really well to deny any room for the Jharkhand forwards to make any serious moves. Y. Hemolata Devi and Premi Chiru held the half line well and kept pushing through passes forward for a very offense minded Manipur team. Premi Chiru also scored a solitary goal for Manipur in the 45th min. Manipur led 5-0 at half time. Deft finishing and great passing were the highlight of the Manipur game play. Manipur controlled the entire match from the starting whistle and continued pounding the opposition’s goal with nice 1-2 passing game and effortlessly tearing the defense apart. Manipur now progress into the Semi-Finals and have their last Group I Quarter Finals league match against underdogs Bihar to determine who tops the Group on 16th Oct, 2015 at 7:30 am at Raia Panchayat Ground, Raia.

About
Debraj Banerjee

Hi, I am Debraj Banerjee from Adra, West Bengal. A keen follower of Indian football and always an optimist that the game will get the recognition it truely deserves. What we ask from you is your support and one day the dream might turn true. Fingers crossed for Indian football. Cheers!